description

we thank you very much for your willingness to take part. Your contributions will help us to make better recommendations on how the EU Strategy for the Danube Region can be better brought to life.

Below you can find a series of statements which came out of focus groups (moderator-led discussions) with representatives from all the countries of the Danube Region. We would like to ask you to vote on the statements by clicking on the respective icons on the right of the statements. We would be especially happy if you could also comment on the statements or make further suggestion. Besides you, we invited a series of other experts. We hope that from your comments and those from the other participants a lively discussion will arise.

The statements below refer mainly to the catching-up countries of the Danube Region which are basically the non-German speaking countries. Thus, if you encounter terms like “the countries” or “the eastern countries” then this refers to the non-German speaking area of the Danube Region.

The statements are summarised in five broad sections. The first relates to the problems with project identification and implementation. In the second criteria for projects are mentioned and the third covers comments on the EUSDR in general. Then we also have extracted thematic fields and concrete projects from the focus group (Section 4 and 5).

You will note that the statements are not necessarily consistent. This is intended in order to present the different views for the specific topic.

P74

P75

It is necessary to have strong domestic players for motivational reasons. A strong domestic player would signal that the countries are able to do something themselves and not reliant on foreign countries in all respects. Likewise, for increasing the number of start-ups good examples (= successful young firms) are needed.

P77

Besides improving the conditions for companies it is very important that the attractiveness of the countries for high-skilled labour is improved. People must want to stay in the countries because it is attractive to live there.

3 Remarks on the EUSDR

You agreeCan't vote

P79

Very broad European strategies are not very successful in general. In particular strategies for south-east Europe have not been very successful. A clear focus of a strategy is needed. It depends on the concrete projects. And the projects must be carried out not only talked about.

P80

P81

The development of a country depends on how connected it is. The connections are made by people. So, it is not that relevant that there is a political strategy but that there are people who build the relevant networks.